Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 89:9-18
Ps 89:9-18
9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. 10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies. 11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. 12 You created the north and the south, Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name. 13 Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. 17 For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. 18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy one of Israel.
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
In our minds we have all shades of black to white when it comes to morality, so we put most things in some shade of gray. With God, this is not true. Everything is either black or white, it is right or wrong, it is sin or righteousness. When we start to measure ourselves by this standard, we begin to feel hopeless or else we begin to swell with self-righteousness. This depends on our honesty with self and God.
Adam sinned. Abraham sinned. David sinned. Peter sinned. We all sin too. God tells us that the due penalty of sin is death. Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this death I deserve? Thanks be to God that deliverance is found in Jesus Christ my Lord! Since this is true, and since I am in Jesus Christ, even though I deserve death, this principle no longer applies to me because my sins are all forgiven by my Savior. It is this assurance that give me the peace of God.
Now like Abraham, like David, like Peter, like Paul, I serve the Lord with all my heart, and even though I still fail and still sin along the way, my faith is counted to me as being righteous. God forbid that I should ever use this as an excuse to sin but thanks to him, I can live in full assurance of heaven, with no fear in this life.
Heavenly Father it is so wonderful to know that when this life is over, I will go to be with you in eternity. It is this assurance that keeps me going when things are tough or when others turn against me. As Paul said, the worst of this life does not begin to compare with the glory of being with you in heaven. Help me grow more determined to be like Jesus in my thinking so I will be more like him, and like you, in every way. Use me to encourage others and to help others be faithful to you. Be with those who are hurting and give them your peace. In Jesus name.
Robert
